JP2006317253A - Plate information management device and plate information management method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plate information management device and a plate information management method capable of managing efficiently information on a microplate, and retrieving it easily, in a screening device. <P>SOLUTION: In information management on a crystallization plate 16 in a screening work in a protein crystallization condition, a bar code label 75 on which an ID number for discriminating an individual crystallization plate is printed by a bar code is stuck on the crystallization plate 16 and also stuck on a management register 76. Hereby, the ID number can be recognized from the bar code label 75 stuck on the management register 76 independently of the actual crystallization plate 16 as the need arises, and plate information related to the ID number can be read from a storage part and displayed on a display device. Consequently, the crystallization plate information can be managed efficiently and retrieved easily. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a plate information management apparatus and a plate information management method for managing information related to a microplate such as a crystallization plate containing a protein crystallization solution.

  In recent years, efforts to make effective use of genetic information in fields such as medicine have become active, and efforts have been made to analyze the structure of proteins constituting genes as the basic technology. This protein structure analysis specifies a three-dimensional structure in which amino acids constituting the protein are linked in a three-dimensional line, and is performed by a method such as X-ray crystal structure analysis.

  In order to perform such a structural analysis of a protein, it is first required to crystallize the protein to be analyzed, and a vapor diffusion method is known as a protein crystallization method. In this method, the solvent component evaporated from the protein solution containing the protein to be crystallized is absorbed by the crystallization solution contained in the same container, so that the protein solution is maintained in a supersaturated state and crystals are gradually generated. Protein crystallization by the vapor diffusion method includes a hanging drop method (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2) in which a solvent is evaporated in a suspended state in which a droplet of a protein solution is attached to the lower surface side of the liquid holding surface, A sitting drop method (see, for example, Patent Document 3) is used in which a solvent is evaporated in a mounting state in which droplets are attached to the upper surface of a liquid holding unit.

In crystallization screening for finding the optimum conditions for protein crystallization, many systematic tests are performed in which various conditional factors such as the target protein, the type of reagent used, and environmental conditions are changed. In such screening, in order to correctly correspond the actual sample to be tested with the condition factors applied to the sample, there is a wide range of methods for attaching a label on which information is recorded with a barcode or the like for identification. Used (see, for example, Patent Document 4). In this patent document example, an example of a material data management system for managing a series of data in RNA analysis or the like is shown. Here, a barcode label on which an ID number is printed as identification information for identifying an individual sample is shown. It is made to affix on the container which accommodates each sample.
JP 2002-179500 A JP 2003-14596 A JP 2004-194647 A WO99 / 30167 pamphlet

  However, in the above-described prior art, the identification information is only affixed to the actual container, so when searching for information such as the condition factors and test results applied to the test of each sample, it is efficient and easy. It was difficult to search. That is, in the process of continuing the test, the sample is stored in a test device such as an incubator, so the identification information cannot be easily confirmed, and the searchable range is limited. It was supposed to be. As described above, conventionally, in a screening apparatus that performs a predetermined screening operation on a sample contained in a microplate, it has been difficult to efficiently manage information on the microplate and easily perform a search.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a plate information management apparatus and a plate information management method that can efficiently manage information related to microplates in a screening apparatus and easily perform a search.

  The plate information management apparatus of the present invention is a plate information management apparatus that manages information related to the microplate in a screening apparatus that performs a predetermined screening operation on a sample contained in the microplate, the plate information relating to the microplate. A plate information input processing unit for displaying a plate information input screen for inputting the information on the display device, an identification information issuing unit for issuing an ID number for identifying the microplate, and the plate information input screen A plate information registration processing unit that associates the plate information with the ID number issued by the identification information issuing unit and stores the plate information in a storage unit, and manages graphic code information including information on the ID number for the microplate At least two labels for the ledger A label printing unit for printing, a graphic code reading unit for optically reading the graphic code information printed on the label, and an ID included in the graphic code information by recognizing the graphic code information read by the graphic code reading unit A graphic code information recognition processing unit for recognizing a number; a plate information display processing unit for reading the plate information associated with the ID number recognized by the graphic code information recognition processing unit from the storage unit and displaying the plate information on a display device; Equipped with.

  The plate information management method of the present invention is a plate information management method for managing information related to the microplate in a screening apparatus that performs a predetermined screening operation on a sample contained in the microplate, and identifies the microplate. An identification information issuing step for issuing an ID number for printing, a label printing step for printing graphic code information including information relating to the ID number on at least two labels for the microplate and the management ledger, and the microplate Plate information input step for inputting plate information relating to the plate information registration step for storing the plate information input on the plate information input screen in the storage unit in association with the ID number issued in the identification information issue step And a label for the management ledger A figure code reading step for optically reading figure code information printed on the figure, and a figure code information recognition step for recognizing the figure code information read in the figure code reading step and recognizing an ID number included in the figure code information And a plate information display step of reading the plate information associated with the ID number recognized by the graphic code information recognition processing unit from the storage unit and displaying it on a display device.

  According to the present invention, graphic code information including information on ID numbers is printed on at least two labels for a microplate and a management ledger for output, so that it can be managed regardless of the actual microplate when necessary. The graphic code information printed on the label for the ledger can be read to recognize the ID number, and the plate information associated with the ID number can be read from the storage unit and displayed on the display device. Thereby, in the screening apparatus, information on the microplate can be efficiently managed and searched easily.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view of a protein crystallization condition screening apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of a protein crystallization plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a transparent perspective view of a plate storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a crystallization plate information management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the processing functions of FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a bar code label pasting object used in one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a crystallization plate information management apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams showing crystallization plate information display screens in the crystallization plate information management device of one embodiment of the present invention. It is.

  First, the entire structure of the protein crystallization condition screening apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. The protein crystallization condition screening apparatus 1 is used for screening protein crystallization conditions in the sitting drop method and the hanging drop method, which are protein crystallization methods by the vapor diffusion method, and is an individual apparatus. The protein crystallization plate manufacturing apparatus 2 and the plate storage apparatus 5 are connected.

  The protein crystallization plate preparation apparatus 2 performs a crystallization plate preparation process for setting a predetermined crystallization condition by performing a dispensing operation on a microplate (crystallization plate) used as a crystallization container. The plate storage device 5 stores the produced crystallization plates in a predetermined environment, and performs protein crystal detection for these crystallization plates.

  The protein crystallization plate manufacturing apparatus 2 and the plate storage apparatus 5 are configured such that each functional unit described later is accommodated in box-shaped casings 3 and 6, respectively. The housing 3 is provided with a window 3a for observation and internal access, a component supply door 3b for supplying consumable parts, and a control panel 4. The housing 6 is a temperature-controlled room that maintains the internal environment temperature at a set temperature. A door 6a for internal access, a small door 6b for operation / inspection from the front, a window 6c for internal inspection, and a control panel 7 are arranged. An opening for transporting the container is provided at the boundary between the casings 3 and 6 so that the crystallization plate produced by the protein crystallization plate production apparatus 2 can be directly carried into the plate storage apparatus 5. .

  The protein crystallization condition screening apparatus 1 is attached with a crystallization plate information management apparatus 8. The crystallization plate information management device 8 is a protein crystallization condition screening device having a function of managing information on crystallization plates (crystallization plate information), and is a personal computer comprising a main body portion 8a, a keyboard 8b, and a display monitor 8c. The computer is combined with a label printer 8e and a barcode reader 8d. The label printer 8e has a function of printing and outputting a barcode label used for identifying the crystallization plate. The barcode reader 8d has a function of reading the output barcode label. In the present embodiment, the crystallization plate information, that is, the detailed information such as the substance stored in the plate and the work date and time is managed by these barcode labels.

  Next, the internal structure of the protein crystallization plate production apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The upper surface of the base 10 provided in the protein crystallization plate production apparatus 2 has a dispensing unit 11 for performing a dispensing operation on a crystallization plate used for crystallizing the protein in the protein solution. It has become. On the front side surface of the base 10, a stock portion 12 that stores consumables is provided. The stock unit 12 includes an empty plate supply unit 13 and two rack stock units 14 and 15.

  The empty plate supply unit 13 includes an elevating plate 13a. On the elevating plate 13a, empty microplates 16 for crystallization (hereinafter simply referred to as “crystallization plates 16”) are stacked in a multi-layered state. Stored. As the elevating plate 13a is raised, the stacked crystallization plates 16 are raised, and the uppermost crystallization plate 16 is taken out by the transport unit 20 described later. An identification barcode label 75 (see FIG. 6) printed by the label printer 8e of the crystallization plate information management device 8 is attached to the crystallization plate 16 in advance.

The rack stock parts 14 and 15 are provided with elevating plates 14a and 15a. Tip racks 17 and 18 are stored in the elevating plates 14a and 15a in a stacked state like the crystallization plate 16, and are conveyed by the conveying unit 20. It is taken out. The tip racks 17 and 18 hold a plurality of disposable dispensing tips used for dispensing the crystallization solution in the dispensing operation in a lattice arrangement. Two types of large and small dispensing tips are used for dispensing the crystallization solution, and the tip racks 17 and 18 accommodate small and large sized crystallization solution dispensing tips, respectively.

  The crystallization plate 16 and the tip racks 17 and 18 are conveyed to the dispensing unit 11 by the conveyance unit 20 described later, and the dispensing tips taken out from the tip racks 17 and 18 are used for the dispensing operation. . The used dispensing tip is returned to the tip racks 17 and 18. The stock unit 12 is provided with a disposal box 19 for collecting consumable parts after use. The tip racks 17 and 18 containing the used dispensing tips are stored in the disposal box 19 by the transport unit 20. Dumped.

  The conveyance unit 20 will be described. Above the base 10, two X-axis mechanisms 24 are arranged in the X direction, and a Zθ-axis mechanism 22 is attached to a Y-axis mechanism 23 installed on the X-axis mechanism 24. A transport head 21 is coupled to a shaft portion 22 a that extends downward from the Zθ-axis mechanism 22. By driving the X-axis mechanism 24, the Y-axis mechanism 23, and the Zθ-axis mechanism 22, the transport head 21 moves in the X direction, the Y direction, and the Zθ direction within the dispensing unit 11, and the crystallization plate 16 and the tip rack 17 are moved. , 18 are clamped and conveyed.

  Next, the dispensing unit 11 will be described. A dispensing stage 11 a is provided at a substantially central portion of the dispensing unit 11, and the crystallization plate 16 taken out from the stock unit 12 is read by a barcode reading unit 28 provided in a conveying path by the conveying unit 20. After the bar code label 75 is read and identified, it is set on the dispensing stage 11a. In an area between the dispensing stage 11a and the stock unit 12, tip racks 17 and 18 and a nozzle rack 27 for accommodating a protein solution dispensing nozzle described later are placed. In addition, a protein solution supply reservoir 26 that stores a protein solution to be screened and a crystallization solution supply reservoir 25 that stores a crystallization solution used for crystallization are placed in an area on the back side of the dispensing stage 11a. Has been.

  In the crystallization plate preparation process for preparing the crystallization plate to be tested in the screening, the empty crystallization plate 16 is extracted from the protein solution supply reservoir 26 and the crystallization solution supply reservoir 25. It is performed by dispensing the crystallization solution by the dispensing means described below.

  Above the dispensing unit 11 including the dispensing stage 11a, an X-axis table 31 is disposed in the X direction, and the Y-axis table 32 coupled to the X-axis table 31 has a dispensing head unit 33. Is installed. By driving the X-axis table 31 and the Y-axis table 32, the dispensing head unit 33 moves on the dispensing unit 11 including the dispensing stage 11a and is aligned with the crystallization plate 16 to be dispensed. . Then, “33” is driven to insert the dispensing nozzle into the well 16 a of the crystallization plate 16 and discharge the liquid, thereby dispensing.

  Now, the crystallization plate 16 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the crystallization plate 16 has a plurality of wells 16a formed in a lattice shape. The well 16a is a so-called caldera-shaped recess for storing liquid in which a cylindrical liquid holding portion 16b is provided at the center of a circular recess. In the well 16a, a sample to be crystallized, that is, a crystallization target. A protein solution containing the target protein and a crystallization solution used for crystallization are dispensed.

At the start of crystallization, the protein holding solution and the crystallization solution are mixed and held in the liquid holding unit 16b, and a sealing member 56 for sealing is attached to the upper surface of each well 16a (see FIG. 3). Then, the crystallization plate 16 in this state is stored under a predetermined temperature atmosphere to evaporate the solvent component in the protein solution, thereby increasing the protein concentration of the protein solution to a supersaturated state and generating protein crystals.

  In FIG. 2, a description will be given of the sticker sticking part 50 disposed on the side of the dispensing stage 11a (on the opposite side of the stock part 12). A slide table 51 is disposed on the dispensing unit 11. A plate holder 52 for holding the crystallization plate 16 is slidably mounted in the Y direction on the slide table 51, and the plate holder 52 reciprocates in the Y direction by a moving means (not shown). The plate holder 52 holds and holds the crystallization plate 16 for which the dispensing operation has been completed at the dispensing stage 11a.

  Above the slide table 51, a sticking sticking head 55 is disposed so as to be movable up and down. A sheet-like seal member 56 drawn from the seal supply unit 53 is supplied to the seal sticking head 55. The seal member 56 is supplied in a state of being laminated on the release paper, and in the sticking operation, the crystallization plate 16 is pressed in a state where the sticking head 55 is pressed against the upper surface of the crystallization plate 16 held by the plate holding unit 52. The seal sticking head 55 is moved relative to the horizontal direction (Y direction).

  As a result, the sealing member 56 is attached to the upper surface of the crystallization plate 16, and the release paper after the sealing member 56 is peeled off is wound up and recovered by the release paper collecting unit 54. By sticking the seal member 56, the upper surfaces of all the wells 16a are closed and sealed.

  On the side surface of the housing 3, an opening 3 c for carrying out the crystallization plate 16 is provided at a position adjacent to the sticking part 50. The crystallization plate 16 having the seal member 56 attached to the upper surface thereof by the seal attaching unit 50 is carried out to the plate storage device 5 by the transport head 21 through the opening 3c.

  Next, the structure of the plate storage device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. The plate storage device 5 has a configuration in which a crystallization plate storage 60, a transport unit 61 and an observation unit 63 are arranged in a temperature-controlled room formed in a box-shaped housing 6. The temperature-controlled room 6 has a temperature control function for maintaining the internal atmosphere in a predetermined environment. As shown in FIG. 4, a crystal carried out from the opening 3 c of the protein crystallization plate manufacturing apparatus 2 is provided on the side surface of the housing 6. A carry-in entrance 6b is provided for carrying the chemical plate 16 into the interior. The carry-in port 6b can be opened and closed by a carry-in port opening / closing mechanism (not shown).

  Explain the internal structure of the temperature-controlled room. Inside the temperature-controlled room, a vertical shelf-shaped crystallization plate storage 60 is arranged along the back side wall surface. The crystallization plate storage 60 includes a plurality of storage units 60a partitioned in a shelf shape. Crystals in which the wells 16a are sealed by performing a dispensing operation by the crystallization plate manufacturing apparatus 2 in each storage unit 60a. Only one activation plate 16 is accommodated. The position of each crystallization plate 16 in the crystallization plate storage 60 is stored in the crystallization plate position information storage unit 67 (see FIG. 5).

  A transport unit 61 is disposed in front of the crystallization plate storage 60. The transport unit 61 includes an X table 61X, a Y table 61Y, a Z table 61Z, a rotating head 61R, and a plate holding head 62. The X table 61X is disposed in a horizontal posture on the floor surface in the X direction (a direction parallel to the crystallization plate storage 60). The Z table 61Z erected on the X table 61X includes a Y table 61Y. It is mounted in a horizontal posture, and a rotary head 61R is mounted on the Y table 61.

A plate holding head 62 is mounted on the rotary shaft of the rotary head 61R. By driving the X table 61X, the Y table 61Y, and the Z table 61Z, the plate holding head 62 moves in the X, Y, and Z directions on the front surface of the crystallization plate storage 60. Moreover, the horizontal direction of the holding head 8 can be changed by driving the rotary head 61R.

  As a result of the movement in the XYZ directions, the plate holding head 62 holds the plate 16 carried in from the carry-in port 6b with the arm 62a interposed therebetween, and stores it in the designated accommodating portion 60a of the crystallization plate storage 60. The crystallization plate 16 held for a predetermined time in the storage unit 5a is held by the plate holding head 62 of the transfer unit 61, and is transferred to the observation unit 63 by the movement of the plate holding head 62.

  The observation unit 63 has a configuration in which an observation table 65 is mounted in a horizontal posture on a frame 64 a erected on a base 64 and a camera 66 is disposed above the observation table 65. On the observation table 65, the crystallization plate 16 conveyed by the plate holding head 62 is placed and set. By driving the XYZ moving mechanism provided in the observation table 65, the plate 16 moves in the X, Y, and Z directions. The observation unit 63 obtains an image indicating the state of the solution in the liquid holding unit 16b for each well 16a by observing the crystallization plate 16 in the crystal generation process. Based on this image, the presence or absence of protein crystals in each well 16a and the degree of crystallization are detected. Image data acquired by the observation unit 63 is transferred to a storage unit 73 described below, and stored for each crystallization plate as crystallization plate information.

  Next, the processing function of the crystallization plate information management device 8 provided attached to the protein crystallization plate production device will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, a processing unit 70 indicates processing functions executed by the main body unit 8a shown in FIG. 1, and a barcode reading unit 71 and a label printing unit 72 are functions of the barcode reader 8d and the label printer 8e, respectively. Is shown. An operation / input unit 74 indicates an input function by a touch panel set in the keyboard 8b or the display monitor 8c. Various processes by the processing unit 70 are executed by an operation command input or data input from the operation / input unit 74, and various screens are displayed on the display monitor 8 c by the screen display processing function of the processing unit 70.

  The storage unit 73 is a storage device built in the main body unit 8a or an external data storage device. The storage unit 73 is a component constituting the protein crystallization condition screening apparatus 1, that is, the barcode reading unit 28, the dispensing unit 11, the seal unit 50, the observation unit 63, the crystallization plate storage 60, and the crystallization plate position information storage. The information transferred from the unit 67 is stored, and the crystallization plate information for the crystallization plate 16 to be screened is stored.

  The processing unit 70 includes a barcode recognition unit 70a, a search unit 70b, a crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c, a crystallization plate information input processing unit 70d, an identification information issuing unit 70e, and a crystallization plate information registration processing unit 70f. Yes. Among these units, the crystallization plate information input processing unit 70d, the identification information issuing unit 70e, and the crystallization plate information registration processing unit 70f have functions of inputting and registering crystallization plate information at the start of the screening work. It is. The barcode recognition unit 70a, the search unit 70b, and the crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c have functions of information search and screen display when it is necessary to refer to the crystallization plate information during or after the screening operation. It is what you have.

First, processing functions of the crystallization plate information input processing unit 70d, the identification information issuing unit 70e, and the crystallization plate information registration processing unit 70f will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 shows a crystallization plate information input screen 80 displayed on the display monitor 8c by the crystallization plate information input processing unit 70d. That is, the crystallization plate information input processing unit 70d displays a crystallization plate information input screen 80 for inputting crystallization plate information related to the crystallization plate on the display monitor 8c that is a display device.

  The crystallization plate information input screen 80 is provided with an input field for inputting various information to be input and an operation button for operating a process on the screen. In the input fields 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d, an ID number, an ID number issuance date and time, a project name to which the ID number belongs, and a worker name are input. In the input area 81, information related to substances stored in the crystallization plate 16 and test conditions is input. The input area 81 further includes input fields 81a, 81b, 81c, 81d, and 81e for inputting the name, amount, remarks, temperature, and memos necessary for supplementing the above information. When information is correctly input in these input fields, the information is displayed in each input field.

  The operation buttons will be described. The crystallization plate information input screen 80 is provided with an ID issue button 80e, a registration button 80f, and an end button 80f. By operating the ID issuance button 80e, a new ID number for the bar code label attached for identification of the crystallization plate 16 is issued by the identification information issuing unit 70e. That is, the identification information issuing unit 70e issues an ID number for identifying the crystallization plate 16. By this operation, the newly issued ID number and the issue date / time are automatically displayed in the ID display field 80a and the issue date / time display field 80b.

  Thereafter, by operating the keyboard 8b, an input operation for inputting the crystallization plate information related to the crystallization plate 16 to which the assigned ID numbers are pasted in the input fields in the display fields 80c and 80d and the input area 81. Is done. Thereby, each input information is displayed in each input field.

  Next, by operating the registration button 80f in this state, each information displayed in each input field of the crystallization plate information input screen 80 is stored in association with the ID number by the crystallization plate information registration processing unit 70f. Stored in the unit 73. That is, the crystallization plate information registration processing unit 70f stores the crystallization plate information input on the crystallization plate information input screen 80 in the storage unit 73 in association with the ID number issued by the identification information issuing unit 70e. Perform the registration process. Then, by operating the end button 80f, the above-described input / registration process ends.

  Along with the registration process described above, a print command is output from the crystallization plate information registration processing unit 70 f to the label printing unit 72, whereby the label printing unit 72 causes the information displayed on the crystallization plate information input screen 80 to be displayed. A barcode label on which information including at least an ID number is displayed in the form of a barcode is printed and output. At this time, the label printing unit 72 prints at least two barcode labels having the same content. As shown in FIG. 6, two printed barcode labels 75 are pasted on the side surface of the main body portion 16 c of the crystallization plate 16 to be used for identification. The other barcode label 75 is affixed to a management ledger that manages the execution history of the work.

  Here, the management ledger is a management file that is defined in business rules for record management of work contents, as well as various work diaries such as work diaries and research reports in which the person in charge of experiments personally records daily work contents. It may be in the form. That is, in the present embodiment, the label printing unit 72 is configured to print graphic code information including information on ID numbers on at least two labels for the crystallization plate and the management ledger.

Next, functions of the barcode reading unit 71, the barcode recognition unit 70a, the search unit 70b, and the crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c will be described. The barcode reading unit 71 reads the barcode (graphic code information) of the barcode label 75 attached to the crystallization plate 16 or the management ledger 76. That is, the bar code reading unit 71 is a graphic code reading unit that optically reads the graphic code information printed on the label.

  The barcode recognition unit 70a performs processing for recognizing an ID number from the barcode read by the barcode reading unit 71. That is, the bar code recognition unit 70a becomes a graphic code information recognition processing unit that recognizes graphic code information read by the bar code reading unit 71, which is a graphic code reading unit, and recognizes an ID number included in the graphic code information. Yes. In addition to the normal one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode may be used as the graphic code information.

  The ID number recognized by the barcode recognition unit 70a is transmitted to the crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c. The crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c reads out the crystallization plate information associated with the ID number from the storage unit 73 and displays it on the display monitor 8c. FIG. 8 shows a crystallization plate information display screen 82 displayed on the display monitor 8c by the crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c.

  The crystallization plate information display screen 82 includes a display field for displaying target information, and operation buttons (barcode search button 82h, condition search button 82i, and end button 82j for operating processing on the screen). ) Is provided. By operating the barcode search button 82h and the condition search button 82i, the data search described below becomes possible, and by operating the end button 82j, the processing on the crystallization plate information display screen 82 is ended.

  In the display fields 82a, 82b, 82c, and 82d, the ID number displayed in the input fields 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d on the crystallization plate information display screen 80 shown in FIG. The name of the project to which it belongs and the name of the worker are displayed. In the display fields 82e and 82f, the information input in the input area 81 on the crystallization plate information display screen 80 is displayed in the corresponding display column. In the image display field 82g, an image obtained by imaging the crystallization solution in each well 16a of the crystallization plate 16 by the observation unit 63 is displayed for each well 16a.

  In the crystallization plate information display screen 82, when nothing is displayed in the ID display field 82a, that is, when crystallization plate information to be displayed is not specified, each column of the crystallization plate information display screen 82 is displayed. Does not display anything. In this case, it is necessary to perform data search by operating either the barcode search button 82h or the condition search button 82i. In the barcode search, the ID number recognized by reading the barcode label 75 is directly instructed to the crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c to search for the crystallization plate information.

  That is, by operating the barcode search button 82h, a barcode reading result display window 83 is displayed on the crystallization plate information display screen 82 as shown in FIG. In this state, the barcode reading unit 71 performs a reading operation with the barcode label 75. Here, when the barcode is correctly read and the ID number is recognized by the barcode recognition unit 70a, the recognized ID number is displayed in the ID display field 83a of the barcode reading result display window 83.

Then, by operating the display button 83b in this state, the crystallization plate information associated with the ID number is displayed in each display field of the crystallization plate information display screen 82 as shown in FIG. It is read from the storage unit 73 and displayed by the display processing unit 70c. At this time, a plurality of well images 84 indicating the state of the crystallization solution in each well are displayed in the image display field 82g. Here, by operating the scroll bars 82x and 82y, the well image 84 can be scrolled in the x and y directions in the image display field 82g, respectively.

  That is, in the above configuration, the crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c has a function of reading the crystallization plate information associated with the ID number recognized from the graphic code information from the storage unit 73 and displaying it on the display device. . In the present embodiment, the crystallization plate information includes image data obtained by imaging the protein crystallization solution contained in the crystallization plate 16.

  The search unit 70b is activated by operating a condition search button 82i on the crystallization plate information display screen 82. The search unit 70b displays a search condition input window 85 shown in FIG. 11 on the crystallization plate information display screen 82, a function of searching for information in the storage unit 73 based on the input search condition, and a search result. It has a function to display as a list. Hereinafter, these functions will be described in accordance with operations on the screen.

  First, the search condition input window 85 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the crystallization plate information display screen 82 by operating the condition search button 82i. Then, the search condition corresponding to each input field provided in the search condition input area 85a in the search condition input window 85 is input. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the substance is the search condition, and the substance type AAA ··· is input. Then, by operating the search button 85b in this state, the search unit 70b searches the storage unit 73 for crystallization plate information corresponding to the search condition, and displays the search result as a search result list 86 on the crystallization plate information display screen 82. indicate.

  In the search result list 86, crystallization plate information corresponding to the search condition (that is, the substance type AAA ···) input in the search condition input window 85 is listed. When a row corresponding to the desired crystallization plate information is designated by a method such as double-clicking, the ID number of the designated crystallization plate information is instructed to the crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c. Thereby, the screen shown in FIG. 10, that is, the crystallization plate information display screen 82 showing desired crystallization plate information is displayed on the display monitor 8c.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing unit 70 of the crystallization plate information management device 8 has the barcode reading unit 71, the barcode recognition unit 70a, the search unit 70b, and the crystal unit responsible for the search / display function of the crystallization plate information. Although the structure including the crystallizing plate information display processing unit 70c is employed, the part responsible for the function related to the search and display of the crystallizing plate information may be a separate device from the processing unit 70. In this case, the processing unit 70 issues a function of issuing an ID number and outputting a barcode label, a function of inputting a crystallization plate for a crystallization plate corresponding to the issued ID number, and an input crystallization It becomes a form which has a processing function limited to the function which associates plate information with an ID number and registers it in the memory | storage part 73. FIG.

  The crystallization plate information management method for managing crystallization plate information in the above-described protein crystallization condition screening apparatus 1 is performed by the following processing operation steps. That is, before supplying an unused crystallization plate 16 to the crystallization plate manufacturing apparatus 2, an ID number for identifying the crystallization plate 16 is issued (identification information issuing step), and information on the ID number is included. The barcode is printed on at least two barcode labels 75 for the crystallization plate and the management ledger (label printing process). The barcode label 75 is affixed to the crystallization plate 16, and the same barcode label 75 is affixed to a page describing matters relating to the crystallization plate 16 in the management ledger 76.

At the same time, crystallization plate information regarding the crystallization plate 16 is input on the crystallization plate information input screen 80 shown in FIG. 7 (crystallization plate information input step). Thus, the crystallization plate information input processing unit 70d stores the crystallization plate information input on the crystallization plate information input screen 80 in the storage unit 73 in association with the ID number issued by the identification information issuing unit 70e. (Crystallizing plate information registration step).

  After finishing these processing operations, the crystallization plate 16 is subjected to a predetermined dispensing operation for crystallization condition screening by the crystallization plate manufacturing apparatus 2 and then stored in the plate storage apparatus 5. During the storage period, the observation unit 63 performs an observation operation on the crystallization plate 16 at a specified interval, that is, a process of imaging the crystallization solution in each well 16a and taking it into the image. The data is stored in the storage unit 73 in association with the ID number assigned to each crystallization plate 16. As a result, the image data of the plurality of crystallization plates 16 during observation or after completion of observation is accumulated in the storage unit 73 for each ID number as crystallization plate information.

  If it is necessary to refer to the crystallization plate information such as the above-mentioned image data and processing conditions after the process or the process of continuously executing these processes is completed, the barcode label attached to the management ledger 76 The graphic code information printed on 75 is read by the barcode reader 8d of the crystallization plate information management device 8 (graphic code reading step). The read graphic code information is recognized by the bar code recognition unit 70a, and the ID number included in the graphic code information is recognized (graphic code information recognition step).

  Then, the crystallization plate information associated with the recognized ID number is read from the storage unit 73 by the crystallization plate information display processing unit 70c and displayed on the display monitor 8c (crystallization plate information display step). In this crystallization plate information display step, image data obtained by imaging the protein crystallization solution contained in the crystallization plate 16 is displayed.

  As described above, in the crystallization plate information management shown in the present embodiment, at least two barcode labels 75 including information relating to ID numbers are printed and output, and each of them is output from the crystallization plate 16 and the management ledger. 76 is attached. Accordingly, when necessary, the ID number is recognized by reading the bar code label 75 for the management ledger regardless of the actual crystallization plate 16, and the crystallization plate information associated with the ID number is read from the storage unit 73. Can be displayed.

  Therefore, even when the crystallization plate 16 is stored in the crystallization plate storage 5 in the process of continuing the test, the identification information of the actual product cannot be confirmed. By referring to the bar code label 75 affixed to the ledger 76, necessary crystallization plate information can be efficiently managed and searched easily.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to crystallization plate information management in a protein crystallization condition screening apparatus for performing a crystallization condition screening operation for a protein crystallization solution contained in a crystallization plate. However, the application target of the present invention is not limited to this, and the above embodiment is also applied to plate information management in a screening apparatus that performs a predetermined screening operation on a sample accommodated in a general microplate. The present invention can be applied similarly to the above.

  The plate information management apparatus and the plate information management method of the present invention have the effect that information relating to microplates can be efficiently managed and easily searched in a screening apparatus, and a field for screening protein crystallization conditions. It is useful for such as.

The perspective view of the protein crystallization condition screening apparatus of one embodiment of this invention The transmission perspective view of the protein crystallization plate preparation apparatus of one embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the crystallization plate used in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a transparent perspective view of a protein crystallization plate storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. The functional block diagram which shows the processing function of the crystallization plate information management apparatus of one embodiment of this invention Explanatory drawing of the sticking object of the barcode label used in one embodiment of the present invention Explanatory drawing of the crystallization plate information input screen in the crystallization plate information management apparatus of one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the crystallization plate information display screen in the crystallization plate information management apparatus of one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the crystallization plate information display screen in the crystallization plate information management apparatus of one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the crystallization plate information display screen in the crystallization plate information management apparatus of one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the crystallization plate information display screen in the crystallization plate information management apparatus of one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the crystallization plate information display screen in the crystallization plate information management apparatus of one embodiment of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Protein crystallization condition screening apparatus 2 Crystallization plate production apparatus 5 Crystallization plate storage apparatus 8 Crystallization plate information management apparatus 8e Label printer 8d Bar code reader 11 Dispensing part 12 Stock part 16 Crystallization plate 70 Processing part 75 Bar code Label 76 Management ledger 80 Crystallization plate information input screen 82 Crystallization plate information display screen

Claims (6)

A plate information management device that manages information about the microplate in a screening device that performs a predetermined screening operation on a sample contained in a microplate,
A plate information input processing unit that displays a plate information input screen for inputting plate information related to the microplate on a display device, an identification information issuing unit that issues an ID number for identifying the microplate, and the plate information A plate information registration processing unit that associates the plate information input on the input screen with the ID number issued by the identification information issuing unit and stores it in the storage unit, and graphic code information including information on the ID number The label printing unit that prints on at least two labels for the microplate and the management ledger, the graphic code reading unit that optically reads the graphic code information printed on the label, and the graphic code reading unit Recognize the figure code information and recognize the ID number included in this figure code information. A graphic code information recognition processing unit, and a plate information display processing unit that reads the plate information associated with the ID number recognized by the graphic code information recognition processing unit from the storage unit and displays the plate information on a display device. Plate information management device characterized by this. A crystallization plate information management device for managing information related to the crystallization plate in a protein crystallization condition screening device that performs a screening operation of crystallization conditions for a protein crystallization solution contained in a crystallization plate,
A crystallization plate information input processing unit for displaying a crystallization plate information input screen for inputting crystallization plate information related to the crystallization plate on a display device, and an identification for issuing an ID number for identifying the crystallization plate An information issuing unit, and a crystallization plate information registration processing unit for storing the crystallization plate information input on the crystallization plate information input screen in a storage unit in association with the ID number issued by the identification information issuing unit A graphic code information including information on the ID number on at least two labels for the microcrystallization plate and the management ledger, and optically the graphic code information printed on the label The figure code reading section to be read in the figure and the figure code information read by the figure code reading section A graphic code information recognition processing unit for recognizing an ID number included in the code information, and the crystallization plate information associated with the ID number recognized by the graphic code information recognition processing unit is read from the storage unit and displayed on the display device. A crystallization plate information management apparatus comprising a crystallization plate information display processing unit for displaying.   The crystallization plate information management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the crystallization plate information includes image data obtained by imaging a protein crystallization solution contained in the crystallization plate. A plate information management method for managing information on the microplate in a screening apparatus that performs a predetermined screening operation on a sample contained in a microplate,
An identification information issuing step for issuing an ID number for identifying the microplate, and label printing for printing graphic code information including information on the ID number on at least two labels for the microplate and the management ledger A plate information input step for inputting plate information related to the microplate, and the plate information input on the plate information input screen in association with the ID number issued in the identification information issuing step in the storage unit A plate information registration step for storing, a graphic code reading step for optically reading the graphic code information printed on the label for the management ledger, and a graphic code information read in the graphic code reading step for recognizing the graphic code information A graphic code information recognition process for recognizing an ID number included in the information; Plate information management method which comprises a serial graphic code information recognition step plate information display step of displaying on a display device the plate information associated with the recognized ID number read from said storage unit in. A crystallization plate information management method for managing information related to the crystallization plate in a protein crystallization condition screening apparatus for performing a crystallization condition screening operation on a protein crystallization solution contained in a crystallization plate,
An identification information issuance step for issuing an ID number for identifying the crystallization plate, and graphic code information including information relating to the ID number are printed on at least two labels for the crystallization plate and the management ledger. A label printing step, a crystallization plate information input step for inputting crystallization plate information relating to the crystallization plate, and the crystallization plate information input on the crystallization plate information input screen is issued in the identification information issuing step. A crystallization plate information registration step for storing in the storage unit in association with the ID number, a graphic code reading step for optically reading the graphic code information printed on the label for the management ledger, and the graphic code reading step The figure which recognizes the ID number contained in this figure code information by recognizing the figure code information read in A code information recognition step, and a crystallization plate information display step of reading the crystallization plate information associated with the ID number recognized in the graphic code information recognition step from the storage unit and displaying the information on a display device. A characteristic crystallization plate information management method. 6. The crystallization plate information management method according to claim 5, wherein, in the crystallization plate information display step, image data obtained by imaging the protein crystallization solution stored in the crystallization plate is displayed.

Images